Staff Writer
Photos By Tucker Judkins
With the final buzz of the horn, the Tigers walked off the court after a 69-34 lopsided win against long time school rival San Marino on Wednesday, January 28. South Pasadena won despite being down a player after senior center Sophia Hathaway took an injury against La Cañada.
The Tigers got off to a rough start with neither team making any shots until senior point guard Elise Takahama set the game in motion with a three-pointer from downtown and adding two free throws the next possession. San Marino senior guard Jessica Pleitez put the Titans on the board with a three-pointer shortly after. The Tigers responded right back when senior guard Lexie Scholtz sunk two free throws, followed by junior guard Kristan Kafkaloff with a layup. Takahama set the first quarter score with a final three pointer adding to South Pasadena’s lead, 12-7.
Starting the second quarter, Scholtz kept up the lead with two free throws. From there, both teams struggled with the ball and could not connect with the rim. A few possessions later, Kafkaloff managed a two point jumper to get the Tigers into rhythm. Titan senior center Charmayne Floyd tried to close the lead with a quick two point jump shot. However, The Tigers responded back when Scholtz made a three point conversion, alongside Takahama with a two pointer and Kafkaloff with a buzzer beating layup to finish the half with a 29-10 lead over the Titans.
The girls came back out the second half when Kafkaloff started with a three pointer, putting South Pasadena on an 11-0 point streak, until Titan senior Elizabeth O’neill knocked down a two point jumpshot. Sophomore guard Jalynne Li answered back with a quick two points. The girls keep up the pressure and when Takahama pulled a two pointer and free throw right before the shot clock expired. Li reinforced the lead with another two points. The girls pushed the intensity into the fourth quarter with a final score of 69-34.
“I thought we started off slow tonight and we weren’t very aggressive on the defensive end,” Head Coach Tammy Lai said. “We played better in the second half when we pressed them full court. We will need to do a better job of establishing a faster pace as we start the second half of league.”
The teams next game is scheduled at home against Blair High School on Friday January 30 at 5:15 p.m. The previous game this season, the Tigers took a 86-9 victory.
